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Refereed/Peer-reviewed Background: Isolation and social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19 have the potential to impact access to healthcare services. Aims: To assess the use of pathology services during the COVID-19 pandemic initial restrictions. Methods: Repeated cross-sectional study of pathology tests utilisation during a baseline time period early in 2020 compared with pre-lockdown and lockdown due to COVID-19 in South Australia. The outcome measure was changed in a number of pathology tests compared to baseline period, particularly change in the number of troponin tests to determine potential impacts of lockdown on urgent care presentations. Results: In the community setting, the ratio of a number of pathology tests pre-lockdown and post-lockdown versus baseline period decreased from 1.02 to 0.53 respectively. The exception was microbiology molecular tests, where the number of tests was more than three times higher in the lockdown period. The number of troponin tests in emergency departments decreased in the lockdown period compared to the baseline time period; however, there was no evidence of an association between tests result (positive vs negative) and time period (odds ratio (OR) 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.22). There was an inverse relationship between age and time period (OR 0.995; 95% CI 0.993–0.997), indicating that fewer troponin tests were conducted in older people during the lockdown compared with the baseline period. Conclusion: COVID-19 restrictions had a significant impact on the use of pathology testing in both urgent and non-urgent care settings. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect on health outcomes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Background: Multimorbidity has been identified as a serious challenge on global health system, closely associated with lower quality of life, poorer health outcomes, and higher utilisation of health services. However, there are major gaps in our knowledge around multimorbidity, especially its effect on primary care services and the burden of comorbid mental health conditions on multimorbidity patterns. This study sought to determine patterns of multimorbidity and quantify their impact on use of primary health services in the presence and absence of anxiety and depression among a cohort of urban community-dwelling men. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study with Australian population. The study population consisted of 2,039 men aged ≥40, who were enrolled either in the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS) Stage 2 between 2007-2010 or in the North-West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS) Stage 3 between 2008-2010. Data have been collected on the prevalence of 8 chronic conditions and linked Medicare data about individual health service utilization information on annual GP visits. Multinomial logistic regression was adopted to quantify the impact of anxiety and depression on the frequencies of GP visits, with adjustment for participant’s demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Results: Obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were associated with the highest number of comorbid conditions. Two non-random multimorbidity “clusters” emerged: (CVD, Obesity, Diabetes) and (CVD, Obesity, Osteoarthritis). Participants with conditions comorbid with CVD were more likely to have 10 or more annual GP visits, compared to multimorbidity involving other conditions. Comparing to participants without CVD, the presence of CVD increased the chance of having 10 or more annual GP visits (adjusted risk ratio: 3.7; 95% CI: 2.8-4.8). When CVD was comorbid with anxiety and depression having 10 or more annual GP visits was more common (adjusted risk ratio: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.5). Conclusions: In Australian, community-dwelling men, multimorbidity is associated with a high use of GP services; especially for multimorbidity that includes CVD with comorbid anxiety and depression. Multimorbidity patterns involving CVD should be considered in developing clinical trials to better inform medical decision making and care for patients with CVD and comorbid conditions.

ContextSex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) levels are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. However, prospective data on the association between SHBG levels and CVD events are sparse, with conflicting results.ObjectivesTo examine associations between serum SHBG, total testosterone (TT), and incident CVD and CVD-related mortality in middle-aged to elderly men.Design and MethodsData on 2563 community-dwelling men (35 to 80 years) were obtained from participants in the Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress cohort. The analytic sample included 1492 men without baseline (2002 to 2007) CVD and with fasted morning serum SHBG and TT available at both baseline and follow-up (2007 to 2010) and without medications affecting TT or SHBG. Associations of baseline SHBG and TT, with incident CVD and CVD mortality, were analyzed using logistic regression for incident CVD and Cox proportional hazard regression for CVD mortality, adjusting for established CVD risk factors.ResultsIn multivariable models, elevated baseline SHBG and lower baseline TT were independently associated with incident CVD (SHBG: OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.06 per SD increase in SHBG, P = 0.003; TT: OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.97 per SD decrease in TT; P = 0.03). A decrease in TT between time points was associated with incident CVD (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.92; P = 0.01). Neither SHBG nor TT was significantly associated with all-age CVD mortality [hazard ratio (HR), 0.69; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.63; P = 0.40; and HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.28 to 1.26; P = 0.18, respectively].ConclusionsAmong all men and men >65 years, elevated SHBG and lower TT were independently associated with both a greater risk of CVD and an increased CVD mortality risk.

Objective: Contrasting findings exist regarding the associations between circulating sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and total testosterone (TT) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in men. We examined prospective associations of SHBG and TT with incident T2D and CVD, in a cohort of community-dwelling men. Methods: Participants were aged 35 years and over at enrolment (n=2563) and followed for an average of 4.95 years. This analysis included men without T2D (1597) or CVD (1492) at baseline, and with fasted morning serum SHBG (chemiluminescent immunoassay) and TT (LCMSMS) at both time points, and without meds affecting TT or SHBG. T2D was identified by either self-report, fasting glucose (≥7.0 mmol/L), HbA1c (≥ 6.5%) and/or prescriptions for diabetes medications. CVD was ascertained by self-report and/or hospital data linkage. Logistic binomial regressions were used to assess associations between SHBG and incident T2D & CVD, adjusting for self-reported psycho-social, demographic and health status and related behavioural factors; measured waist circumference, HBA1c and plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Sensitivity analyses assessed mediation effects of anxiety, sleep duration, shift work ≥3years, and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Results: During an average follow-up of 4.95 years, 14.5% (n=232) and 6.7% (n=101) of men developed T2D and CVD, respectively. Baseline TT was independently associated with incident T2D (odds ratio (OR) =0.72, 95%CI= [0.57, 0.92], P=0.01). An inverse association of baseline SHBG levels with incident T2D (OR=0.77 [0.62, 0.95], P=0.02), was insignificant after adjustment for TT (OR=0.91 [0.71, 1.17], P=0.48 for SHBG. Baseline TT (OR=0.71 [0.52, 0.98], P=0.04) and SHBG (OR=1.54 [1.15, 2.06], P=0.003) were independently associated with incident CVD. A decrease in TT between time points was associated with incident T2D (OR=0.81 [0.68, 0.97], P=0.02) and CVD (OR=0.72 [0.56,0.92], P=0.01). There was no association between ΔSHBG and incident T2D and CVD. In the sensitivity analyses there was evidence for mediation effects of shift-work on the association of TT, but not SHBG with CVD (both baseline &change models), and of longer sleep duration, OSA and shift work on the association of TT with T2D (change TT model only). Conclusions Shift-work mediates associations of TT with CVD. All sleep parameters had mediation effects on the association of decreasing TT with T2D. Funding: NH&MRC Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. Abstracts presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.

LC-MS/MS has recently emerged as the best-practice for simultaneous analysis of vitamin D metabolites. We have developed and validated an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in human serum. These three metabolites were extracted from 50 μL of serum by acetonitrile protein precipitation followed by salting-out of acetonitrile. DAPTAD (4-(4′-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione) was used to derivatize the extracted metabolites and their deuterated isotope internal standards. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a UPLC C18 column (Waters® ACQUITY 100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) utilizing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phases. Limits of quantification were 1 ng/mL for 25(OH)D3 and 0.1 ng/mL for 24,25(OH)D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3. In-house and external Vitamin D External Quality Assessment Scheme (DEQAS) quality control sample analysis revealed satisfactory method accuracy. Within-analytical batch and between analytical batches precision were

Contrasting findings exist regarding the association between circulating sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone levels and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in men. We examined prospective associations of SHBG and sex steroids with incident T2D in a cohort of community-dwelling men. Participants were from a cohort study of community-dwelling (n = 2563), middle-aged to elderly men (35–80 years) from Adelaide, Australia (the Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) study). The current study included men who were followed for 5 years and with complete SHBG and sex steroid levels (total testosterone (TT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and oestradiol (E2)), but without T2D at baseline (n = 1597). T2D was identified by either self-report, fasting glucose (≥ 7.0 mmol/L), HbA1c (≥ 6.5%/48.0 mmol/mol), and/or prescriptions for diabetes medications. Logistic binomial regression was used to assess associations between SHBG, sex steroids and incident T2D, adjusting for confounders including age, smoking status, physical activity, adiposity, glucose, triglycerides, symptomatic depression, SHBG and sex steroid levels. During an average follow-up of 4.95 years, 14.5% (n = 232) of men developed new T2D. Multi-adjusted models revealed an inverse association between baseline SHBG, TT, and DHT levels, and incident T2D (odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% CI [0.62, 0.95], p = 0.02; OR 0.70 [0.57, 0.85], p

Despite its widespread clinical use, there is little data available from population-based studies on the determinants of serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). We aimed to examine multifactorial determinants of circulating SHBG levels in community-dwelling men. Study participants comprised randomly selected 35–80 y.o. men (n = 2563) prospectively-followed for 5 years (n = 2038) in the Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) study. After excluding men with illness or medications known to affect SHBG (n = 172), data from 1786 men were available at baseline, and 1476 at follow-up. The relationship between baseline body composition (DXA), serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides, thyroxine (fT4), sex steroids (total testosterone (TT), oestradiol (E2)), and pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum SHBG level at both baseline & follow-up was determined by linear and penalized logistic regression models adjusting for age, lifestyle & demographic, body composition, metabolic, and hormonal factors. Restricted cubic spline analyses was also conducted to capture possible non-linear relationships. At baseline there were positive cross-sectional associations between age (β = 0.409, p

Background Effective prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) requires early identification of high-risk individuals who might benefit from intervention. We sought to determine whether low serum testosterone, a novel risk factor for T2D in men, adds clinically meaningful information beyond current T2D risk models. Methods The Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) study population consists of 2563 community-dwelling men aged 35–80 years in Adelaide, Australia. Of the MAILES participants, 2038 (80.0 %) provided information at baseline (2002–2006) and follow-up (2007–2010). After excluding participants with diabetes (n = 317), underweight (n = 5), and unknown BMI status (n = 11) at baseline; and unknown diabetes status (n = 50) at follow-up; 1655 participants were followed for 5 years. T2D at baseline and follow-up was defined by self-reported diabetes, or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7.0 mmol/L (126.1 mg/dL), or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5 %, or diabetes medications. Risk models were tested using logistic regression models. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) were used to identify the optimal cut-off point for low serum testosterone for incident T2D and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AROC) curve was used to summarise the predictive power of the model. 15.5 % of men had at least one missing predictor variable; addressed through multiple imputation. Results The incidence rate of T2D was 8.9 % (147/1655) over a median follow-up of 4.95 years (interquartile range: 4.35-5.00). Serum testosterone level predicted incident T2D (relative risk 0.96 [95 % CI: 0.92,1.00], P = 0.032) independent of current risk models including the AUSDRISK, but did not improve corresponding AROC statistics. A cut-off point of

Background The relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety in men remains unclear. Inflammation has recently been identified as an independent risk factor for LUTS and depression. This study aimed to assess the association between depression, anxiety and LUTS, and the moderating influence of systemic inflammation, in the presence of other biopsychosocial confounders. Methods Participants were randomly-selected from urban, community-dwelling males aged 35–80 years at recruitment (n = 1195; sample response rate:67.8%). Of these, 730 men who attended baseline (2002–5) and follow-up clinic visits (2007–10), with complete outcome measures, and without prostate or bladder cancer and/or surgery, neurodegenerative conditions, or antipsychotic medications use, were selected for the present study. Unadjusted and multi-adjusted regression models of incident storage and voiding LUTS and incident depression and anxiety were combined with serum inflammatory markers (high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin–6 (IL–6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), soluble e-selectin (e-Sel)) and socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assessed the moderating effect of inflammatory markers. Results The incidence of storage, voiding LUTS, depression and anxiety was 16.3% (n = 108), 12.1% (n = 88), 14.5% (n = 108), and 12.2% (n = 107). Regression models demonstrated that men with depression and anxiety at baseline were more likely to have incident storage, but not voiding LUTS (OR: 1.26, 99%CI: 1.01–4.02; and OR:1.74; 99%CI:1.05–2.21, respectively). Men with anxiety and storage LUTS at baseline were more likely to have incident depression (OR: 2.77, 99%CI: 1.65–7.89; and OR:1.45; 99%CI:1.05–2.36, respectively), while men with depression and voiding LUTS were more likely to have anxiety at follow-up (OR: 5.06, 99%CI: 2.81–9.11; and OR:2.40; 99%CI:1.16–4.98, respectively). CRP, TNF-α, and e-Sel were found to have significant moderating effects on the development of storage LUTS (1.06, 0.91–1.96, R2 change: 12.7%), depression (1.17, 1.01–1.54, R2 change: 9.8%), and anxiety (1.35, 1.03–1.76, R2 change: 10.6%), respectively. Conclusions There is a bidirectional relationship between storage, but not voiding, LUTS and both depression and anxiety. We observed variable moderation effects for selected inflammatory markers on the development of depression, anxiety and storage LUTS.